Sandy's Spotlight
New Release!
Down To No Good
by
​Earl Javorsky

PI Charlie Miner, freshly revived from his own murder, gets a call from LA Homicide Detective Dave Putnam. Self-styled “psychic to the stars” Tamara Gale has given crucial information about three murders, and the brass thinks it makes the Department look bad. Dave wants Charlie to help figure out the angle, since he has first-hand experience with the inexplicable.Trouble is, Charlie, just weeks after his full-death experience, once again has severe cognitive problems and may get them both killed.“Earl Javorsky’s bold and unusual Down Solo blends the mysterious and the supernatural boldly and successfully. The novel is strong and haunting, a wonderful debut.” T. Jefferson Parker, New York Times bestselling author ofFull MeasureandThe Famous and the Dead

Sweet Christmas Kisses 4 Blog Tour

Usher in the holiday season with 14 heartwarming all-new, stand-alone stories from New York Times,USA Today, national bestselling, and award-winning authors. Sweet Christmas Kisses 4 takes you from the Pocono Mountains to sunny Florida, and as far away as Portugal. Curl up with your favorite hot beverage and enjoy this sweet romance boxed set that’s sure to put you in the mood for Christmas.

Mona Risk, In Time for Christmas Dr. Sylvia Reynolds promised to be at her parents’, in time for Christmas dinner, but her priorities change after she meets a motherless baby and her gorgeous uncle.

Beate Boeker, Unique Christmas Chiara hopes to spend a solitary Christmas all by herself. But when a man jumps through her office window to save her from an accident, things spin away—beyond her wildest dreams.

Christine Bush,Christmas with the Cat Lady Carly is happy living alone in her mountain house with her cats. Can the handsome author who rents a room over the Christmas holidays change her mind?

Lyn Cote, Loving Winter

At her cousin’s wedding, Winter Woodard, owner of her family’s garden center, isn’t expecting to meet her match in local football coach, Clay Dixon, (she isn’t IN to sports!) but he stands by her through a holiday season fraught with unexpected setbacks.

Denise Devine, Once Upon a Christmas Small town girl returns home to find love and success, but can she outlast the mistakes of her past?

Raine English, Christmas in Walnut Creek Will a Christmas blizzard reunite a couple and give them a second chance at love?

Jean C. Gordon, A Team Macachek Christmas Sparks fly from a Christmastime reunion of motocross racer Jesse Brewster and his ex-girlfriend Lauren Cooper. But is it the wrong time for their love?

ShannaHatfield, Saving Mistletoe A stubborn cop, a hotshot attorney, and a little girl determined to spend Christmas with her father need a miracle to make this holiday season jolly and bright.

Milou Koenings, The Gift of Yesterday When Bailey returns to Green Pines to open a pastry shop, Joe Hudson sees all his Christmas wishes coming true—if only he can convince her to risk her heart again.

Josie Riviera,A Portuguese Christmas The holidays—like love—can sneak up on you. And sweep you away like a riptide.

Roxanne Rustand, A Christmas in Montana Kristen Weatherby goes to Montana to get her late grandmother's house ready to sell, but finds much more than she bargained for: a house she can't let go, a charming mountain town, and a handsome veterinarian who just might steal her heart.

Magdalena Scott, A Cowboy for Christmas Hannah Kincaid is in love with Jacob Hollingsworth, and will overcome her fear of horses and his bossy brother Michael to get a Christmas happily-ever-after with the cowboy of her dreams.

Kristin Wallace, Loving You at Christmas Annaliese Matheson is convinced she’ll never love again. This Christmas will become the opening act for her holiday happily ever after.

Merrillee Whren, Puppy Love and Mistletoe Can a little girl and a fluffy black dog bring a reluctant couple together in a Christmas miracle?

Mona RiskNew York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, Mona Risk, received an Outstanding Achiever Award from Affaire de Coeur Magazine. She's a two time winner of Best Contemporary Romance of the Year from Readers Favorite; a winner of Best Romance Novel of the Year from Preditors & Editors Readers Poll; and an EPIC Award finalist. Her books have garnered: Top Pick, Outstanding Read, Sweetheart of the Week, and Best Book of the Week from various reviewers, and received two mentions in Publisher's Weekly. Mona lives in South Florida and has traveled to more than eighty countries on business or vacation. She writes contemporary romances, medical romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal fantasy. Sprinkled with a good dose of humor, her stories are set in the fascinating places she visited or more simply at home. Beate Boeker Beate Boeker is a USA Today bestselling author with a passion for books that brim over with mischief & humor. She writes sweet sophisticated romantic fiction and cozy mysteries, many of them set in beautiful Italy. While 'Boeker' means 'books' in a German dialect, her first name Beate can be translated as ‘Happy’ . . . and with a name that reads ‘Happy Books’, what else could she do but write novels with happy endings? Christine Bush Christine Bush has been a storyteller all of her life. Always a lover of romance, mystery, and happy endings, it is no surprise that her novels have a lively mix of all three ingredients! Christine is a women's advocate, and believes with all her heart that women can face the problems in their lives with courage, creativity (and often humor) and make a difference in the world. Lyn CoteUSA Today bestselling author, Lyn Cote has written over 45 books. A Romance Writers of America RITA finalist and an American Christian Fiction Writers Carol Award winner, Lyn writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense and historical novels. No matter which kind of story, her brand “Strong Women, Brave Stories” comes through. Her most recent achievement is being added to Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll for bestselling authors. Denise Devine Denise Devine is a USA TODAY bestselling author who has had a passion for books since the second grade when she discovered Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. She wrote her first book, a mystery, at age thirteen and has been writing ever since. Raine EnglishUSA Today bestselling author Raine English always wanted to be a writer. She began her career as a journalist, but writing romance novels was her passion. Her books have won many awards, including finalling in the Romance Writers of America Golden Heart and winning the Daphne du Maurier Award. When not behind her computer, you can usually find her reading. She lives in New England with her family and two French bulldogs, Bailey and Dolly. Jean C. Gordon For sweet romance author Jean C. Gordon, writing is a natural extension of her love of reading. From that day in first grade when she realized t-h-e was the word “the,” she’s been reading everything she can put her hands on. A professional financial planner and financial writer, Jean is as at home writing retirement- and investment-planning advice as she is writing romance novels, but finds novels a lot more fun. Shanna Hatfield After spending her formative years on a farm in Eastern Oregon, hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield turns her rural experiences into sweet historical and contemporary romances filled with sarcasm, humor, and hunky heroes. When this USA Today bestselling author isn’t writing or covertly hiding decadent chocolate from the other occupants of her home, Shanna hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller. Milou Koenings Milou Koenings is an award-winning USA Today bestselling author who writes romance because, like chocolate, stories with happy endings bring joy to the world and so make it a better place. The Gift of Yesterday is the fifth book in the Green Pines Romance series. Josie Riviera Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable Shih Tzu who constantly needs grooming and an old house forever needing renovations. Roxanne RustandUSA Today best-selling author Roxanne Rustand has written over thirty-five novels. She writes inspirational romantic suspense and inspirational romance For Love Inspired, and also writes sweet romance for the indie market. She lives in the country with her family, plus a menagerie of pets that sometimes find their way into her books. Magdalena ScottUSA Today bestselling author Magdalena Scott writes sweet romance and women's fiction with small town settings. Kristin Wallace Kristin is a USA Today Bestselling author of inspirational and sweet contemporary romance filled with “love, laughter and a leap of faith”. Growing up she devoured books like bags of Dove Dark Chocolate. Her first Golden Book led to Laura Ingalls Wilder, Nancy Drew, C.S. Lewis and the Sweet Valley High series. Later, she discovered romance novels and fell in love all over again. It’s no surprise that Kristin would one day try her hand at writing them. She is the author of two bestselling series, Covington Falls Chronicles (inspirational romance) and Shellwater Key Tales (contemporary romance). Merrillee Whren Merrillee Whren is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Award. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of forty- plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. She spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels.

Purchase Links:

Sandy's SpotlightNew Release
Down To No GoodCharlie Miner Book 2
by Earl Javorsky

Blurb:
An edgy and intense thriller with a touch of the paranormal.

Private investigator Charlie Miner, freshly revived from his own murder, gets a call from Homicide Detective Dave Putnam. Self-styled “psychic to the stars” Tamara Gale has given crucial information about three murders, and the brass thinks it makes the Department look bad. Dave wants Charlie to help figure out the angle, since he has first-hand experience with the inexplicable. Trouble is, Charlie, just weeks after his full-death experience, once again has severe cognitive problems and may get them both killed.

At once a riveting mystery and a completely unique character study, DOWN TO NO GOOD will both captivate you and work its way into your heart.

About the author:

Earl Javorsky was born in Berlin and immigrated to the US when he was two. He grew up in Los Angeles and attended the local community college and UCLA. He then went to Emerson College, a teacher training school in England. Besides having written two published novels, he has created strategically optimized content (blogs, feature articles, and web pages) for treatment centers throughout the country, taught music at Pepperdine University (Malibu campus), worked in technical sales and marketing, and been employed as a writer for several Hollywood entertainment periodicals. Additionally, he has worked as an editor and/or proofreader for several publishers, including The Story Plant,BelleBooks, and The Learning Company, as well as (on the technical side) The Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America.

Book Spotlight and Giveaway!
Re-Release
Vice - Book One in the Vegas Sins Series
by Rosanna Leo

Blurb:
Casinos, gambling, money, and women, these are all the things Las Vegas has to offer. For a handsome business entrepreneur it’s paradise.

Wearing success like a well-tailored suit, Liam Doyle knows exactly how to lure customers into his grand casino hotels. Every night it’s business as usual while he runs his multi-million dollar empire…until a pesky protester catches his attention.

Staging a one-woman protest, Kate Callender has the potential to be a huge pain in his ass. If he doesn’t take care of her soon, there will be bad publicity slapped all over Vice, the newest addition to his chain of casinos.

But there’s just one tiny little problem Liam didn’t count on—the feisty red-head isn’t about to go down easily. She’s fighting him every step of the way…and he’s starting to like it.

Excerpt:
“You,” she said on a breath.
“Me.” His enticing blue eyes traveled up and down the length of her, one eyebrow raised in frank admiration. “You obviously didn’t do your homework.”
Outrage surged through her system. “Why didn’t you tell me who you were yesterday? Why did you let me embarrass myself like that?”
The smirk disappeared, to be replaced by a mild expression of boredom. “There’s no need to be embarrassed. I always try to size up the competition.”
Doyle walked toward her, his large hand extended. The light in his eyes now hinted not so much at merriment as it did danger. She caught a whiff of her favorite men’s cologne by Michael Kors. She’d bought it for an old boyfriend once, but it smelled way better on Liam, as if it were an extension of his persona.
His entire ensemble, designer suit, pressed pants, and navy blue paisley tie, reeked of power and privilege that drew her like a moth to a flame. Damn, she’d always been a sucker for a man in a good suit. Get a hold of yourself, Kate. He’s hot, but so is the Devil.
He kept his hand out. “Please allow me to introduce myself properly. I’m Liam Doyle.” His gaze drifted toward her neckline and back up again. “I think you’ve heard of me.”
Wishing she didn’t have to, she took his hand. Electricity shot through her and that damned perspiration appeared on her upper lip again. His grip was that of a man who took what he wanted, when he wanted.
She held her head high. “Kate Callender.”
He held her hand for a moment, his gaze locked on hers. He then gestured toward the counter, where a teak tray was laden with biscuits and what smelled like expensive coffee. No Folgers crystals for this guy. “Coffee?”
“No, thank you.”
“Tea?”
“No.”
“So we’re done with the niceties, then?”
“I didn’t come here for niceties.”
“Then you’ve come to the right place.” Liam sat on one of the couches, motioning for her to do the same. She continued to stand. Something in his wolf-like gaze hardened even further. “Ms. Callender, why are you picketing my casino?”
His direct question set her even more on edge. She cleared her throat. “I have a right to protest what I see as wrong.”
His grim smile might have made a grown man sweat, but she didn’t look away. “Let me put this another way. Las Vegas is home to numerous casinos. Why mine?”
“If I’m trying to make a point, it only stands to reason I’d pick the most popular casino. I suppose I should congratulate you. Only open for two days, and Vice is already a hit. You must be so proud.”
“Yes. Despite having my grand opening spoiled.”
“Oh.” She inclined her head in mock sympathy. “I’m so not sorry.”
He peered at her, narrowing his eyes. “Are you a Bible-thumper?”
“No.”
“Campaigning politician?
Despite her unease, she laughed. “Do I look like Hilary Clinton?”
He looked her up and down, as if her vocation were scrawled somewhere on her and he simply needed to find it. “Aspiring actress? This is probably a publicity stunt to get you viral on YouTube? Trying to get an audition here as a showgirl? Sorry, I don’t use them. The whole concept is dated and demeaning to my female clientele.”
Okay, he got some points for that statement. “I’m not a dancer. I’m a singer.”
It was his turn to laugh. Despite the bitter tone, his deep timber called to her. “Same difference.” He stood. “I’m not auditioning you, Ms. Callender, as fun as it would be to get you on the casting couch.” And there he lost those points again. “Have a nice day.”
“Wait! I’m not trying to get an audition. You need to listen to me.” In a nervous reaction, she fingered the pearl choker at her neck, the one thing she had left of her mother. The one thing her father hadn’t pawned.
Doyle turned back to her, one brow raised. “No, I don’t.” He eyed how she gripped her choker. “So you can take your fake pearl necklace and your sneakers and your attitude and go home.”Her attitude? “No. You let me up here. I’m not leaving until you hear me out.” She let go of the choker and let her hands fall to her sides. “And my pearls aren’t fake.”
“Why are you here, Ms. Callender? Did you lose money at one of my casinos on your last night out with the girls?”
She didn’t want to dignify that with a response, but a smug statement like that couldn’t go unchallenged. “I’m not a gambler.”
He leaned against the armrest of the cushy couch and surveyed her through hooded eyes. “Ah, and now we come to the crux of the matter. So, you’re a do-gooder. Let me guess. Gam-Anon?”
“New Horizons.”
“Never heard of them.”
“That doesn’t mean we don’t exist. And unfortunately, there are lots of us. Far too many. What does that tell you, Mr. Doyle?”
Liam’s lips twitched into a smile that appeared slightly more friendly than his poker face, as if he enjoyed their banter. He loosened his tie, but his focused gaze continued to grate on her nerves. She stared at the strip of indigo silk at his throat, and was struck by a bizarre and unbidden image.
Her, on his bed. Her hands bound with his expensive tie.
The strange pounding in her head must have been her racing heart. Where did that come from? Focus, Kate, focus.
“I’m not just here because it’s something I believe in. I’m here because my group gets bigger every goddamn week,” she said, concentrating on the task at hand, rather than Liam Doyle’s bed. Lisa’s sad face appeared in her mind, as well as those of her children, the ones who’d spent the last two nights crying for their daddy. Kate blinked away the tears which threatened and aimed her burning gaze at Doyle. “I don’t respect your work, Mr. Doyle. And I don’t respect you.”
From the furrow of his brow, Kate thought she’d struck a nerve. His tanned skin seemed paler. After a moment, he said, “So you’re trying to take down my casino with a one-woman picket line? No offense, but I’ve seen better protests at a garage sale.”
“I’m trying to create awareness.” Kate stood, having already had enough of their uncomfortable conversation. “I’m not a fool. My intention is not to shut down Las Vegas, or your casino. That’ll never happen. But if I can make a small dent in the wallet of the Strip’s wealthiest hustler during his opening week, then maybe people will take notice. Have you never thought about the addictions riding your customers? Have you ever spent time chatting with the compulsive gamblers downstairs? Because I bet you’d hear a lot of stories. And believe me, the worst ones are the ones they don’t tell.” She paused for breath. “My friend’s husband is probably down there right now, feeding your slot machines instead of his kids.”
“Hold on. Don’t pin that on me.”
“Oh? Who do I pin it on?”
“Look, if you want a donation, I already make plenty. Believe me, I make regular donations to people like Gam-Anon. You know, legitimate charities.”
“I’m not here for money, but clearly you are.” The words spilled out of her, kick-started by adrenaline. “You’re a wealthy man. Did you have to open casinos? Were they such a passion for you? Couldn’t you have opened, I don’t know, a supermarket chain instead? Or was that not sexy enough for the great Liam Doyle?”
His lips compressed. Had her comment hit home? Good.
“You have no right…”
“I have every right.” Her face was burning now. “If I can save even a few lost souls from places like this, then I’ll sleep a whole lot easier.”
She had to get out before she started crying. She wanted to leave with her head held high. Leave him thinking. She turned and headed for the elevator, but he grabbed her hand before she could get away.
“Wait.”
Kate yanked her hand out of his grip. “How do you even sleep, Mr. Doyle?”
His eyes bored into her. “Like a rock. But that crown of thorns must keep you up at night.”
She tried to appear like she was still in control, but that had hurt. “You just keep telling yourself that.”
Kate marched to the elevator and punched the button. As the door opened, she threw a look back at him.
“By the way, I will be back. I’ll show you how many lives have been devastated by your casinos.” She walked into the lift, even though she felt like running. She didn’t look back.
Liam called out to her. “Watch your step, Ms. Callender. I don’t forgive and forget.”
She channeled her last ounce of bravado before the doors shut. “You really should see someone for that. I hear being an asshole can be terminal.”
Once the elevator began its descent, Kate leaned against the back of the small space and closed her eyes, winded by her hostile exchange with Doyle. She didn’t open them again until the door opened.

About the Author:

Author Bio:Rosanna Leo is a multi-published romance author. Winner of the Reader’s Choice 2015 in Paranormal Romance at The Romance Reviews, Rosanna draws on her love of mythology for her books on Greek gods, selkies and shape shifters.
From Toronto, Canada, Rosanna occupies a house in the suburbs with her long-suffering husband, their two hungry sons and a tabby cat named Sweetie. When not writing, she can be found haunting dusty library stacks or planning her next star-crossed love affair.
A library employee by day, she is honored to be a member of the league of naughty librarians who also happen to write romance.

Six award-winning authors bring you seven *sweet to sensual* romances filled with suspense, thrills and maybe even a ghost or two--for less than the price of a cup of coffee—99 cents!

Welcome to La Bonne Chance Resort & Casino!

With thousands of people passing through the casino’s doors on a daily basis, it’s no surprise that a variety of lives and loves are on the line there. It’s said that you’re more likely to lose your heart at La Bonne Chance than a hand of poker. Whether you are the Director of Casino Operations or the guy who created its software, a jilted bride or a black jack dealer, a past guest’s ghost or a sous chef--when it comes to love, the stakes are high.

TaglineWhat happens at La Bonne Chance, doesn’t always stay at La Bonne Chance. Are you ready to roll the dice?

* * *Excerpts and Author Fun Facts

Excerpt from An Inn Decent Proposal by Sharon BuchbinderAfter the hotel auction, a stunned Jim Rawlings and excited Genie King go to Sips, a local coffee house. Overwhelmed with self-doubts verging on buyer’s remorse, Jim begins to question his sanity. Genie, on the other hand, is bursting with enthusiasm and ideas…

“Why did you want this place?”“The old girl called to me, begged me to save her.” He gave Genie a wistful smile. “Do I sound crazy?”“You call the Inn ‘she,’ too?”“Yes, she’s like a grand old dame who’s fallen on hard times. Remember the parties? The famous people who stayed and played there? Celebrities came to the Inn because they knew their privacy and secrets were safe with us. If those walls could talk! Every day was new and exciting. I would love to bring back her glory days.”Genie leaped up, ran around the table and hugged him. “I have the same dream. We can do it.”He hesitated for a moment, then returned the gesture, his hands unable to resist lingering on her luscious curves just a tad too long. Genie’s inviting cleavage made him wish they were somewhere private. He could scarcely breathe and had to shake his head to dispel naughty images of nuzzling her soft breasts. “We can do what?”She sat down again, but clung to his hands. “I’ve done the research. The Inn should be in the National Park Service Historic Registry—but it isn’t. If we can get her added to the Registry, there are laws and standards about how we make the rehabilitation. We can bring it up to modern codes, but have to use certain treatments—”“I hate to burst your bubble, but where will we get the money to do all this?” He wasn’t sure he could afford too many more big gambles like this last one.Her face flushed and her sapphire blue eyes sparkled. “If we can get her added to the Registry, we’ll qualify for special low interest loans. And for a major tax credit. And we have a million dollars in equity.”“Pretty, smart—and you say you can cook? If you can do all that, you are a genie.”She released his hands, pulled her shoulders back, and inadvertently gave him a better glimpse of her bosom. Genie gave him a scalding look. “Are you challenging my cooking, Mr. Rawlings?”Uh-oh. He never dreamed of Genie having a little temper. He couldn’t resist tweaking her. “I’m sure you’re a solid cook.”She stood, almost knocking her chair over. “Solid? What the hell does that mean? Average? Good enough to make the turkey for Thanksgiving dinner for the family—but not good enough to cook for guests? Tell you what, Mr. Critic, you come to my house for dinner tomorrow night.” She scribbled her address on a business card and threw it on the table. “My food makes men go weak at the knees.”Hypnotized by the sway of her voluptuous ass as she stalked out of the nearly empty café, Jim bet it wasn’t just this saucy woman’s cooking that made strong men weak.

About Sharon BuchbinderSharon Buchbinder and her husband used to breed and show Egyptian Maus and Color Point Persians (formerly called Himalayans). If you’ve ever seen the mockumentary, Best in Show, you have an idea of what life was like 24 out of 52 weekends a year for this wild and crazy couple. When Sharon returned to school for her PhD in 1986, she decided a doctoral program plus a toddler plus a full time job was more than enough and they placed all their cats in good homes—including their own.* * *Excerpt from Perfect Odds by Lashanta CharlesCallista is meeting her fiancé at the airport so they can fly out to N.Y. where they're supposed to get married, but it seems plans have been changed without her knowledge.

“James? Where are you? They’re boarding everyone now,” I say when I answer. “I’m not coming,” he says. I pause in making my way to the attendant station. Surely I heard him wrong. “Hang on a sec, let me ask them how long we have before they can no longer wait. If you’re here already it shouldn’t be a problem. You’ll just need to hurry. Like, sprint through the airport or maybe get one of those guys on the carts to give you a ride somehow.” The attendant smiles at me and holds her hand out for my boarding pass. I move to give it to her, but hear James speaking again. “Cali, you’re not listening. I’m not there. I’m not coming,” he says. Pulling my boarding pass away from the attendant, I force a smile and step away for privacy. “What are you talking about, James? I’m here waiting for you.” As if he doesn’t know that. He helped me load our luggage into the car before I left this morning. Is this some sick joke he’s pulling right now?“I’m not coming, Cali,” James repeats for the third time. I stare numbly at the ‘now boarding’ screen above the attendant. I heard him the first two times. It makes as much sense now as it did then – none. “I don’t understand. You can’t not come. I can see if they’ll schedule us for a different flight. I’m sure it’s not too late. We’re getting there early enough that one day won’t really matter,” I tell him. He lets out an exasperated sigh. He’s annoyed? We’re two weeks away from our wedding and I’m at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia, sans fiancé. I battled an hour and a half of traffic to get here and get us both checked in two hours early, lugged all our suitcases – overweight, I might add – only for him to call when it’s time to board the flight to New York and tell me he’s not coming, yet, he’s the one who’s annoyed? “I don’t know what else to say, Cali. I’m trying to do right by you here. We both knew this wouldn’t end well.” I splutter. Try as I might, I can no longer get the words to flow from my mouth to have this conversation. We didn’t know anything of the sort. Do right by me? How is standing me up for our wedding doing right by me? I didn’t ask to marry myself. I didn’t insist on us having a short engagement or me moving in with him. I definitely didn’t count on any of this.

About Lashanta CharlesSo I don't really have anything too witty, but I have a 6-year-old with a sharp tongue. One of the things I always tell my kids is that mommy and daddy knows everything. So one day I'm taking my daughter to the store to buy toys with her birthday money. This is how the conversation went:

Her: So, who gave me this birthday money?Me: Poppy (Grandad)Her: Oh, I really miss Poppy. I want to go see him.Me: Well, you have to wait until this summer, when you're out of school.Her: Why?Me: Because you have to learn things in school and if you miss a day, you'll miss what you need to learn and then you won't know everything.Her: Ohhhhh, you mean like you and daddy don't really know everything even though you say you do?Me: *speechless*

* * *Excerpt from A Ghost To Die For by Keta DiabloRooney encounters a stranger in her hotel room and soon finds out he's a ghost!

Rooney looked at the man through narrowed eyes. "You weren't at the séance on stage, so what then, were you in the audience?"No, I was on stage, but kind of hanging around in the background. He put his hands in the air, palms out. I swear, I won't hurt you, but I been lurking around this hotel for two months now wondering how I was going to get out of this mess. Then you arrived at La Bonne Chance with your sister, you know, the fabulous Fontaine sisters, the crème-dela-crème of psychics, and my prayers were answered.She snorted. "I'm not a psychic, mister, so if that's your angle, you picked the wrong sister."No, I picked the right sister. Now if only I can get her to hear me out."I don't want to hear you out; I want you to get the hell out of my hotel room. Like now!" When he didn't comply, she moved the can of hair spray until it loomed inches from his face. "I'm going to count to three. If you aren't out of that chair and out that door by then, I'm giving you a face full of hair spray."Go ahead. Maybe then you'll realize what I am and listen."You asked for it." She held the nozzle down and let him have it right between the eyes. He didn't move a muscle, didn't react at all. Much to her dismay, she didn't even have the satisfaction of seeing him blink. The drizzle and aroma of hair spray hung heavy in the air but didn't seem to bother him nearly as much as it did her. Through a series of chokes and chortles she managed to eke out the words. "What are you, some kind of weirdo with inhuman defenses?"A ghost."What!"You asked me what I am and I'm telling you. I'm a ghost.Eyes wide, voice in shriek mode, she fell onto the edge of the bed and glared at him. "You can't be a ghost. I don't believe in ghosts!"Understandable. Neither did I until I became one.She reached out and touched his arm, more to prove him wrong than anything else. A startled scream escaped when her fingers danced through vacant air. Coming to her feet, she paced a small area beside the bed. "This can't be happening. It isn't possible."That's exactly what I said when they pushed me off the balcony and I wound up in this state. She resumed her prior position on the bed. "Someone pushed you off a balcony?"More like tossed me over, right here at the La Bonne Chance Casino, seventh floor, two months ago."Two months ago? You've been wandering around here for two months?"He released an exasperated sigh. I thought you might be a good listener, but I've said that twice now. Two months ago I died, and yes I've been hanging out here, twiddling my thumbs and trying to figure out what to do next."You can't leave the hotel?"Not yet, anyway. I'm working on it, but you have no idea how much energy it takes just to project my voice. No one else has been able to hear me, or see me, until you, Rooney, and now I seem to be experiencing a renewed sense of energy."Stop saying my name as if we're besties."Well, after that séance and the conversation you had with Violet about your little sister, Vanessa, I kind of feel as if we are.

About Keta DiabloKeta once dressed up as old man on Halloween and picked up her 9th grader at school in costume! Needless to say, he wasn't pleased. In fact, he refused to get in the car. She followed him out of the parking lot and down the street for two blocks before he'd even look at her. Yes, he finally got in, but didn't appreciate her humor...at all. Update: He's in college now and says the "old man" incident is now one of his fondest childhood memories.

* * *Excerpt from Raising Kane by Kat Henry DoranLt. Kieran Pollack signs in to work and comes up against the woman of his dreams: Mallory Kane, ace investigative reporter. Unfortunately she's just spent the night in jail and is in no mood to speak with anyone--particularly a cop.

“Anything I need to know before I head upstairs, Sarge?”“It’s all there.” The night duty man passed him the report from the previous platoon. “The usual pugs, thugs and mugs threw themselves a circus down at The Dirty Dawg last night.”Kieran scrawled his name on the sign-in roster. “Again? Somebody ought to look into closing down that pest hole.”“I bet the Mayor is thinkin’ along those same lines. With the Chief on vacation and the Deputy Chief at a meeting out of town, as PIO it’s your job to handle the fallout. Lucky man.”Fall-out? “What are you talking about?”A woman with mile-long legs and hair the color of roasting chestnuts strode past the desk, heading in the direction of the revolving door.“Overnight guest,” the sergeant advised under his breath. “TV Reporter. I was you, I’d head that one off at the pass.”In addition to a talent for scoping out shapely legs, Kieran possessed the good sense to act on sound advice. After shooting both cuffs and ensuring his tie hung straight, he glided up beside the woman. “Excuse me, miss?”She stopped, threw back her shoulders, then turned. “Yes?”In the shimmer of an early morning sun he saw a nasty bruise blossoming across one cheekbone and winced. “Does that hurt as bad as it looks?”“Who are you and what do you want?”She possessed a voice designed to make a man think of hot nights and cool sheets. Extending a hand, he launched into his usual PIO song and dance. “Kieran Pollack, Public Information Officer for the Victory PD. What’s a pretty thing such as yourself doing in a joint like this?”The screech of tires on the street outside obscured any response she might have made. Panel vans bearing the logos of the local TV affiliates disgorged reporters and camera-persons who wasted no time in storming the doors to the Public Safety Building.Kieran attempted to head her off at the pass with a fast two-step and a faster line of bull. “Look, can you help out this hard working public servant?”She raised one hand to shield her injured cheek. “Not without my attorney.”“Aw, now. Why do you want to go and do something like that? We don’t need no lousy lawyers to make things right, do we?”“I believe it’s somewhere in the Bill of Rights,” she murmured, eluding his out-stretched hand with a fast step to the left.“Please. Hear me out,” he pressed, one eye on the camera-persons now jockeying for position just inside the doors. “I can make this all disappear―if we could go someplace to talk. It would be to your advantage, I promise.”A spark flared in those dull, pain-filled eyes. “I’d sooner walk barefoot through a nest of pit vipers than spend one second alone with any member of the Victory Police Department.”

About Kat DoranThere was the time I played private duty nurse for my uncle, after he underwent a resection of an aortic aneurysm. Very scary for a number of different reasons. It became my job to ensure Father Joe got sufficient rest which boiled down to playing traffic cop and time-keeper on visitors. On one afternoon, I could see Joe was fatigued and needed a nap. As I rounded up the crowd to send them out the door, one smirked at me. "Who's Nurse Ratched, Joe?" he asked.I said, "Who are you, the Pope?"He said, "Close to it, honey. I'm the Bishop."Aw geez.

* * *

Excerpt from For Money or Love by Margo HoornstraLindsey Carr's two best friends, Rita and Anne, discuss exactly why she and her mega-millionaire boss, Daniel Montgomery, are no longer romantically involved.

Shooting Lindsey a quickly manufactured smile, she turned her full attention to the eye candy. “No doubt about it. Those are bedroom eyes.” She trailed her fingertips over Daniel’s forehead, down his cheek and onto the outline of his lips.Lindsey brought both hands to her lap under the table, locked her fingers together and squeezed. It was a four-page spread in Today’s Tech magazine. The picture of Daniel’s forehead, cheek and lips.An important distinction to remember. If that had been her boss in the flesh he’d be blushing beet red from all the fluttery female attention. Daniel Montgomery was different than most other powerful millionaires. Those she’d heard about anyway. Certainly drop dead gorgeous as had been established. With a mile wide shy streak not many people knew about or even suspected. Hands still clasped, Lindsey leaned away from the display.Anne slid her glass aside and moved up to fill the void, her critical gaze focused on Daniel’s picture. “I’m never sure what the term ‘bedroom eyes’ means.”“Not droopy or sleepy.” Rita didn’t bother to look up. “Sexy. There’s no other word for it. Well, maybe erotic would fit. I must say, Lindsey. It amazes me you can work side by side with this man day in and day out and manage to keep your hands to yourself.”“It’s easy.” She murmured the blatant lie. Very easy. He does the same and then some.“You and this marvelous specimen.” Rita waited until Lindsey glanced up then met her eye to eye. “As a couple, are old news, right? That’s what you’ve said.”“Absolutely.” Purposely lowering her voice, she mentally counted to five before she spoke again. “We did the dating thing for a while.” She shrugged one shoulder for effect. “It didn’t work for us.”Lindsey took a small gulp of wine to avoid having to share more, and was relieved when Rita and Anne went back to hunk browsing. Trying her best to ignore the fact it was Daniel’s hunk they browsed, she gave up to give into her own thoughts about the man. Bowing to a mutual attraction that became evident soon after they met, Lindsey and Daniel dated for a time. A very short time, consisting of a few casual dinners, a couple of movies. That one night in….“Why didn’t it work for you exactly?”Unsure who asked the question, Lindsey looked up then blinked. “It just didn’t.” She slowly let out a breath. “I don’t think of Daniel Montgomery in that way.” Much anymore.“Then why are you blushing?” Her sharp gaze unrelenting, Rita leaned considered her from across the table. “Care to share?”I’ll have no peace around here until I do. Taking her time to indulge in another sip, she completed a long, slow swallow then licked her lips.

About Margo HoornstraBecoming a coffee connoisseur wasn’t an instant fall head over heels event for Margo Hoornstra. Initial cups were loaded with milk and sugar. When the children arrived, two AM feedings coupled with six AM risings for work necessitated more indispensable caffeine. Flavored, iced, lattes and such, a true coffee aficionado, she covets them all.

* * *Excerpt from Take A Chance On Me by M.J. SchillerAfter chasing leads at the station, Cash returns to his home where his partner, Ian, is supposed to be watching over the murder witness, Harper...

Cash slowly pulled his keys out of the door, examining the pair. “What’s going on?”“Nothing. Right, Ian?”Ian nodded loosely. “Nothing. Like she said.”Cash closed the door and set his keys on the end table. “Uh-huh.” He stuck his hands in his pockets. “What’s behind your back?”Ian shot a glance at Harper. “You’re on your own.” He ducked into the kitchen.“Coward,” she mumbled out of the side of her mouth.Cash moved forward, and she took a step back. He lunged, catching her, and causing her to scream. He wrestled the bottle from her hand and brought it out where he could see it. Ian ran in, his concerned gaze darting to Harper. He stopped and put a hand over his heart, leaning against the side of the archway between the two rooms.“Hmm.” Cash took a step back, tilting the bottle. He fought the smile tugging on his lips. “Is this my Jäger?”Ian and Harper looked at each other with open mouths, but neither spoke.Cash ambled over to the coffee table and clinked the bottle against the shot glasses as he set it down. “So—and correct me if I’m wrong—it looks like, while I’ve been out working my ass off, the two of you were busy getting snockered.”“Oh, no.” Harper shook her head. “We were working hard, right, Ian?”Ian made an attempt to stand straight, but swayed comically. “We were working hard.” He nodded, but turned to Harper. “What were we working hard at again?”“Looking at the mug shots.”“Oh. Yeah. That’s right. We were looking at the mug shots.” He faced Cash. “And doing shots.”“Sh-sh-sh. It’s a secret.” Harper laughed.Ian chuckled along with her. “Oh, yeah.”Cash put his hands on his hips. “Well, I hate to tell you, friends, but the cat’s out of the bag now.”“Cat? What cat?” Harper laughed, seeming to be slightly more sober than her partner in crime, his partner.“He has a cat?” Ian seemed genuinely confused, looking around for the feline. “You never told me you had a cat.” Harper sputtered and broke into laughter again.Cash sat, hiding his chuckle. She was so damned cute. He put his feet on the coffee table, spreading his arms out along the top of the couch. “Whose idea was this anyhow?”They pointed at each other.“It was mine?” Harper asked. Ian nodded. “Oh. It was mine.” She smiled and didn’t appear to try to hide her pride.Cash shook his head, staring at them for a moment. He stood and pulled out his phone. “Okay, Ian. I’m calling you an Uber.” He punched some buttons. “Chrissy’s gonna kick your butt. And the next time she sees me, she’s gonna kick my butt.” He looked at his screen. “Two minutes away.” He came over and put his arm around Ian, steering him to the door.“I’m leaving?”Cash grabbed his jacket off a recliner. “Yes, you are. Maybe the night air will sober you up some.”“I doubt it.”Cash laughed. “I doubt it, too. And you, little missie—” he swung around to point to her.She looked about, then put a finger on her chest and mouthed “Me?”“Yes, you. Don’t think you’re off the hook. I’ll deal with you when I get back.”

About M.J. SchillerOne day--when M.J.'s triplets were about two, and her eldest four--she was doing laundry and matching up the socks, one of her least favorite chores. She lined them up all along her arms as she hunted for their mates. After a bit of fruitless searching, she glanced at the time and realized she needed to hustle to be on time for a prayer service she was attending at her church.

She made it in time, her four children in tow, and removed her coat before kneeling to say a prayer. An half hour later, as she piously prayed along with the congregation, her eldest asked, "Mommy, why do you have a sock on your shoulder?" She had missed removing one of her husband's long, mateless gym socks!

Click on the "Preview" button below the book cover to visit Amazon's Preview of Troubled Spirits

A woman who talks to the dead.
A man who doesn’t believe in spirits.
And a fiery attraction that can’t be denied.

Blurb:

Jody has been a conduit for ghosts her entire life. Not only do they come to her for help, but at times she experiences what they feel when they die. This gift or curse comes at a high personal cost—especially when a child is involved. There’s not a man alive who is willing to compete with troubled spirits.

Jared, a wealthy and determined high-powered P.I., has lived without love his entire life. In business if he wants something, he goes after it with a vengeance and is usually not denied. His life experiences have taught him that believing and trusting in others is a dead end street.

But on one magical night Jared meets Jody, and they soon find themselves on the brink of falling in love. But will the spirits surrounding Jody relinquish their hold on her in order for Jared to stake his claim or will their love disappear in an ethereal puff of smoke?

What people are saying about Troubled Spirits:

“Jody is a strong heroine and the spirit stories are captivating, heartbreaking, and uplifting at the same time. Troubled Spirits sets up a solid foundation for Ms. Wolters’ new series, “Spirit Voices.” – BigAl's Books and Pals

“The way the author wrote is like watching a movie in your head. You see the characters and how they interact in your mind vividly. It flows so well and the characters are so complex you will fall in love them. This story is like all the other books this author has written. They are sweet and sexy with such a passion. You will be swooning and reading all night long.” - Patricia Statham

“This story is fast paced and has an explosive beginning. It’s suspenseful and certainly will enthrall you. This very creative, well written story by Sandy Wolters is her best. It chills your bones as well as warms your heart. Highly recommend...she’s a great author.” – Nancy L. Silk

I'm giving away two signed print copies of Troubled Spirits and some great swag over at Goodreads. Stop by and sign up for your chance to win!

Coming May 5, 2017Troubled SpiritsBook One in the Spirit Voices SeriesA New PNR BySandy WoltersARC Copies Available for Reviewers

Have a blog and interested in reviewing Troubled Spirits? Sign up for an ARC HERE. For each review link you send me, I will add your name to a special Troubled Spirits SWAG giveaway. Reviews must be posted by May 10th, 2017 to be eligible for the giveaway. Drawing will be held on May 12th and the winner will be notified via email address.

It's almost here! May 5th is right around the corner.As soon as I have Pre-Order links, I'll share them.

Troubled Spirits, Book One in the Spirit Voices Series, has been a long time coming. I've devoted two years of my life to this book and the final product has been worth every minute!

Amanda Barnett, Senior Editor for the Fantasy Rose Line over at The Wild Rose Press, saw the same magical spark in Troubled Spirits that I did. With her editing instincts, Troubled Spirits has come to life and I've never been so proud to have my name on a book. Get ready for an emotional roller coaster!

Troubled Spirits is my first contracted book with The Wild Rose Press. At almost 78,000 words, it's my longest novel yet. Troubled Spirits is the first novel in a proposed trilogy but I've found that my characters have more tales to tell. Storylines have already been developed for more than the originally planned three book series. Each book in the Spirit Voices series will be a stand alone. Characters will continue on but there will be resolution at the end of each book. I promise - There will be no cliffhangers!

What about that cover? RJ Morris with The Wild Rose Press gave me the perfect cover.

Trouble Spirits started off right when a rough draft of the first scene won a WIP contest sponsored by The PRG Book Club in May 2015. Stay tuned. I'll be teasing the first chapter soon.

Blurb:

Jody has been a conduit for ghosts her entire life. Not only do they come to her for help, but at times she experiences what they feel when they die. This gift or curse comes at a high personal cost—especially when a child is involved. There’s not a man alive who is willing to compete with troubled spirits.

Jared, a wealthy and determined high-powered P.I., has lived without love his entire life. In business if he wants something, he goes after it with a vengeance and is usually not denied. His life experiences have taught him that believing and trusting in others is a dead end street.

But on one magical night Jared meets Jody, and they soon find themselves on the brink of falling in love. But will the spirits surrounding Jody relinquish their hold on her in order for Jared to stake his claim or will their love disappear in an ethereal puff of smoke?

Excerpt:

“Excuse me. What did you say?”

The familiar reaction had Jody’s heart sinking. She had to admit she did feel the tiniest bit bad for him. He’d had no clue the direction this discussion would take. Forcing a smile on her face, she knew it wouldn’t be long before he ran in the other direction. He’d end up bailing on her just like everyone else she’d been interested in had done.

She could pinpoint the exact moment his mind turned suspicious. His gaze penetrated as he visually examined every inch of her. When his expression softened and the warmth returned to his demeanor, she knew he’d probably devised some logical explanation for what she’d just said. At least that had been the pattern in the past with the men she’d been interested in. Maybe he attributed her comment to exhaustion. Maybe he just thought he’d misunderstood her. She’d have to speak concisely so her words wouldn’t be misinterpreted.

“I woke up last night to find a distraught four-year-old girl in bed with me.” No sugarcoating. She’d be straight up about her abilities, and he’d walk out. She hadn’t had time to get attached to him yet, so nothing gained. But for some reason, her heart sure felt like something had been lost.

“I don’t know when she died, but she’s determined to find her parents and talk to them.”

Come in, have a cup of tea and a scone, and lose yourself in five humorous tales from the village.

Follow Father Whitworth O’Grady as he chokes on a penny, Albert Scatterhorn as he becomes the grubbiest Father Christmas ever, and Amelia Goose as she feuds with… well, anybody. Plus a whole host of characters as they attend the village’s first Singles Night with a sex-crazed ladies’ man.

Jump in and find out more for yourself…

The Bumpkinton Tales: Volume One is the first paperback release by the author and includes five humorous short stories and novella's packed with colourful characters.

Find a quiet cafe, sit back and enjoy.

Excerpt from The Bachelor, the third of 5 stories:

Whitworth stood in the amber glow of the streetlights by the rectory gate and waved to a number of villagers as they made their way in the direction of the local public house. He checked his watch and exhaled.

What is he up to? He thought to himself. Fenton had been gone for almost six hours. What if he’d found a tyre swing up by the River Eppforth, decided to have a go like old times and ended up drowning? Whitworth shook off such thoughts. He was panicking, but he couldn’t rule out some mischief making. There wasn’t enough to do in Bumpkinton to constitute a six-hour absence. The priest was about to give up and go back indoors when he saw a familiar figure emerging from Nest Lane. Whitworth stood up straight and tried to put an expression of annoyance upon his face.

“Have you got trapped wind, brother?” asked Fenton as he reached the gate.

“No, I have not,” snapped Whitworth. “Where the heck have you been?”

“Here and there.”

“For six hours?”

“I-I fell asleep,” Fenton floundered.

“Where?”

“I… oh shut up, brother. You’re very suspicious for a man of God.”

“Can you blame me? I thought you’d drowned in the River Eppforth.”

“Drowned? What an imagination you have,” said Fenton. He smoothed his hair and flashed a smile at Janet Dearlove who was making her way along the street. “So, are we going down the pub or what?”

“Yes. Come on,” said Whitworth as he looked at his brother tiredly.

He’s definitely up to something, the priest thought to himself as they set off towards The Ploughman’s Itch, but what?

What people are saying about The Bumpkinton Tales: Vol One:

"Fun collection of stories surrounding the village of Bumpkinton. Well written and really enjoyable!" - Suzie, Readers Haven

"I just love this collection." K Jenkins., Katherines Bookshelf

"I have just finished reading the Bumpkinton Tales and now that I have visited this village, I want to stay there. The characters are charming, believable and so funny."Jan Underwood, Amazon.

Matthew Drzymała was born in Manchester in 1981 and started to write seriously in 2011 when he took part in NaNoWriMo. Since then he has relocated to Liverpool, where he lives with his fiancee, Elaine.

Matthew attended creative writing classes in 2012 and 2013 and was nominated for an Adult Learner Award in 2014. He also runs the Laid-back Writers Group, which meets once a month at Central Library in Liverpool. This group is aimed at writers of any skill or experience, whether they be beginners or experienced, all are welcome.

This group is aimed at being a place where writers can come together and write at their own pace and to help kick-start those who want to write but can't get past a first draft.

Matthew released his first works in 2013, the majority being stories in the Bumpkinton Tales series. Matthew's first paperback was a collection of short stories and novella's entitled The Bumpkinton Tales: Volume One.

Matthew lives in a flat overlooking the River Mersey and, when the weather allows, sits outside and writes his stories in glorious sunshine, which isn't much, so mostly takes place at the kitchen table!

A warrior with a missionThere isn’t a buffalo or deer that Kajika cannot take down. So when his cousin is slaughtered he relishes the chance to track down the killer. The trail leads him to a woman with gifts he has trouble believing in. Despite their differences he cannot fight his instinct to protect her from all threats – even those he cannot see. That drive even rivals his desire to explore every inch of her body.

A woman with a destinyKnowing the spirits will protect her, Ahyoka allows the handsome warrior to take her to be questioned by his chief about the unexplained deaths in their village. He may not believe in her abilities but he is one of the few who doesn’t treat her like something to be feared or shunned. He awakens feelings that make her yearn for things she thought she’d never have. Her biggest fear is that once he learns the full extent of her gifts he will reject her like most of her tribe did.

A killer twisted by hurt and angerKajika and Ahyoka must work together to find the one responsible for the string of deaths in and around their villages. Faith, trust, and even a little bit of love will be needed to defeat the killer and right the wrongs committed in the pursuit of power and revenge.

Excerpt:Copyright @DENA GARSON 2017(644 words)

Awake Spirit Talker.A man.He watches.A man.He comes.A man.He hunts.Ahyoka listened to the sounds of the spirits around her. Even without their warning, she would have sensed the presence in the shadows.She rolled to her side and looked to where she knew he crouched. The darkness hid his features from her eyes, but his spirit radiated from the fire that burned within him. Never before had she met someone with such a potent life force.Even her brother’s wasn’t as intense as this man’s, and her family descended from a line of powerful shamans.Did he mean her harm? Or was he just passing through?Without taking her eyes off the place where he hid, she groped behind her for the knife she had been using before she dozed off. The apples she ate sat heavy in her belly as she contemplated whether she should run or just face whoever it was.The crunch of leaves from her left drew her attention. No sooner had her vision shifted than a blur from the place the man had hid raced toward her. She rolled as her father had taught her to do in order to minimize the impact of the assault. At the same time, she pulled her knife and tried to put it between her and her attacker. The man grabbed her wrist and pinned it to the ground, rendering her weapon useless.Her heart pounded in her chest and a roar sounded in her ears. Who was this man?She fought to free herself from his hold but found he outmatched her in size, speed, and strength. In an alarmingly short span of time, she found herself pinned beneath one of the most handsome men she had ever seen. She pushed aside her shock and renewed her efforts. “Get off of me!” Even the attractiveness of his face didn’t deter her from ramming her head into his nose.He loosened his grip on her and covered his face as he mumbled some expletive.She used this distraction to her advantage and bucked him to one side so she could wiggle free. Before she could get to her feet and scamper away, he grabbed her by the ankle.“Let go!” She kicked at his hand with her other foot, trying to break his hold.As she struggled with the warrior, two more men appeared from out of the surrounding trees. “Do you need help, Kajika?” the taller of the two men asked. The laughter in his tone suggested their struggle amused him.Ahyoka renewed her efforts to break free of the first man’s grip. “Who are you and what do you want?”The warrior kept his hold of her even as he climbed to his feet. “Who are you and what were you doing in our village?”Ahyoka stopped struggling. “In your village? What village?”“Don’t play dumb with me. We tracked you here.”“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She pointed to the bank just behind them. “I’ve been following the river all day. I stopped to rest when I realized how far I’d come. Where is your village?”Now that he had released her, she could see the rest of the man who had interrupted her peace and quiet. Her eyes traveled up the length of his legs. She skimmed over the short deer skin he wore about his waist and tried not to speculate about what might be hidden beneath. His bow hung across his broad chest, making her wonder how he managed to squeeze into such a narrow span. Every line of his chest and belly could be seen clearly. If she wanted, she could count each one even from where she sat.Something stirred within her and made her heart skip a beat. That same something counteracted her impulse to escape.

Dena Garson is an award winning author of contemporary, paranormal, fantasy, and sci-fi romance. She holds a BBA and a MBA in Business and works in the wacky world of quality and process improvement. Making up her own reality on paper is what keeps her sane.

She is the mother of two rowdy boys, two rambunctious cats (AKA the fuzzy jerks), and a loving Labrador. When she isn't writing you can find her at her at the sewing machine or stringing beads. She is also a devoted Whovian and Dallas Cowboys fan.

3. Attach the first two (2) chapters of your WIP on a Word document. (One entry per person) The first line of the document should include the title, and if this is part of a series, the book number in the series. For check in purposes, your name should be at the top of the document as well. (The person checking your entry in will black out your name on the document and assign a number.)

4.You will receive an email stating we are in receipt of your entry and you will be given a link to the PayPal buttons. The fee for entry is $5.00 if you are a PRG paid author member in good standing or $10.00 for non-paid author members. You have 24 hours after receiving the confirmation email to pay your entry fee. Your entry will not be finalized until payment is received. If payment is not received within the specified time limit, your entry will be terminated.

Once the contest has ended and the winners announced, all entrants will receive the score cards for their WIP from the judges. The judges names will not be released under any circumstance.Good luck!